UK 7" [Rough Trade RT196]
The "Sheila Take A Bow" front artwork was produced in three different colours around the world. In the UK it is tinted red (view front and back artwork on the left). Just like all other Smiths singles, the sleeve is rigid and glossy. This is the third consecutive single with pink labels with black text in the classic Rough Trade layout. Different editions of the record have been reported. Here are the two known versions of this format:

• push-out centre
  Initial pressing of the 7" has a push-out centre, as requested by Morrissey.
  RT 196 A1 / RT 196 B1
• solid centre
  Later pressings, or perhaps pressings for a foreign market such as Ireland, have a solid centre.

UK 12" [Rough Trade RTT196]
The UK 12" also features the red variation of this single's artwork. However it is very slightly different to the 7" artwork (view front and back from left menu). The labels are also pink with black text in the classic Rough Trade layout. The record comes in a specially designed inner sleeve that is pink like the labels. One side (view left) shows the covers to the five albums released by the band thus far, with respective track listings (including "Hatful Of Hollow" with its newly revised cover art). The other is die-cut to show the label and features the lyrics to the three songs on the single.
RTT 196 A-1U-1-2- / RTT 196 B-1U-1-2-
RTT-196-A1 / RTT-196-B-1

UK sheet music [Warner Bros Music Ltd and IMP 20928]
The 6-page sheet music for this single includes tabs to the three songs featured on it. View here.

UK 7" jukebox [Rough Trade RT196]
The text layout on the labels of the "Sheila Take A Bow" jukebox 7" is the same as on the labels of the stock version described above, but the record has a large hole in its centre. It doesn't come with a picture sleeve unless someone found an orphan one to slip it in.

UK 7" promo [Rough Trade RT196]
An extremely limited number of white label 7"s were used for early promotion of this single. These have a sticker on the label stating "THE SMITHS / SHEILA TAKE A BOW / RT(T)196", with 'A' handwritten above it. They were distributed in a stock picture sleeve with a yellow and blue-green plugger sticker on it.

UK 7" promo [Rough Trade RT196]
A number of copies of the stock 7" paired with an A5 press release served some undetermined form of promotion.

UK 12" promo [Rough Trade RTT196]
The main promotional tool for the "Sheila Take A Bow" single was the white label 12" record. Some copies had the usual plain white labels, with the same sticker on the a-side label as the promo 7" described above ("THE SMITHS / SHEILA TAKE A BOW / RT(T)196"). In some other cases the labels were actually light pink, without any sticker on them. Most copies seem to have been distributed in black custom die-cut sleeves, but some may have been slipped inside stock ones.
RTT 196 A-1U-1-1-1 / RTT 196 B-1U-1-1-1

UK 12" promo [Rough Trade RTT196]
A number of copies of the stock 12" paired with an A4 press release served some undetermined form of promotion.

UK promo poster 30cm x 60cm (12" x 24")
View here.

UK promo poster 100cm x 150cm (40" x 60")
Subway size poster. View here (better flat photo needed).

UK promo postcard
View here. The reverse has an announcement for the single.

UK ad 30cm x 40cm (12" x 16")
Black and white ad. View here.

UK 7" test pressing [Rough Trade RT196]
The test pressing for the 7" format of this particular title has silver injection-moulded labels with nothing printed on them. The record is slipped inside a plain black die-cut record bag.

UK proof of 7" sleeve
A proof of the artwork for the UK 7" sleeve has made it to the collectors' market. It shows the unfolded front and back, including the flaps that go from the front over the back, with proofing bars. There doesn't seem to be any difference with the definitive artwork.

UK proof of 7" sleeve - early
This is a black and white 'in process' paper proof used by art designers Jo Slee and Caryn Gough as part of the production process, complete with handwritten notes on colours used. This was presumably used for authorising the layout with Morrissey and/or Rough Trade. The proof shows the front and back side by side, with cutting bars. The most obvious difference with the definitive artwork is the absence of the 6-petal pictograms beneath the credits on the back.

UK proof of 7" sleeve - 4 tones
This is laid out just like the proofs described above, but the front artwork is separated in four quadrants, each tinted a different colour: red (top-left), blue (top-right), greenish yellow (bottom-left) and gold (bottom-right). The flower-like pictograms on the back also appear in these four colours, in horizontal reverse order to the way the colours are laid out on the front (so once folded the corner of the sleeve that is red on the front would end up having the red pictograms on its reverse, etc). The credits are printed in gold and the barcode is found in the top right corner on the back instead of at the right of the credits.

UK proof of 12" sleeve
A proof of the artwork for the UK 12" sleeve has made it to the collectors' market. It shows the unfolded front and back side by side, with proofing bar. There doesn't seem to be any difference with the definitive artwork.

UK proof of 12" sleeve - gold
This proof of an early artwork test also shows the unfolded 12" front and back side by side, but the front image is tinted gold and the 6-petal pictograms on the back are pink.

UK proof of 12" sleeve - 2 tones
This proof shows an early test for the 12" single's artwork. The front is split in two different colours. The left half is tinted red like the UK sleeve while the right half is tinted blue like the German 12" (view in left menu). The letters on the front have white edges instead of gold ones. There are no flower-like pictograms underneath the credits on the back. The ones above the credits are blue on the left and red on the right (the opposite colour pattern to the front), which means that once folded the red pictograms would have ended up behind the red half of the sleeve, and the blue ones behind the blue half.

UK proof of 12" sleeve - 4 tones
This proof shows an early test for the 12" single's artwork. The front is separated in four quadrants, each tinted in a different colour: red (top-left), blue (top-right), greenish yellow (bottom-left) and gold (bottom-right). The flower-like pictograms on the back also appear in these four colours, in horizontal reverse order to the way the colours are laid out on the front (so once folded the corner of the sleeve that is red on the front would end up having the red pictograms on its reverse, etc). The credits are printed in gold and the barcode is found in the top right corner on the back instead of at the right of the credits.

UK proof of 12" inner sleeve
This proof shows both sides of the single's inner sleeve, bottom to bottom, with proofing bar. The lyrics side is full as the opening through which the label is usually shown is cut out at a later stage.

As announced on the labels of both formats, "Sheila Take A Bow" in Australia was released a single from the double-LP edition of "The World Won't Listen" which is unique to that country.

Australia 7" [CBS 650758-7]
The cover artwork in Australia is tinted red as in the UK, and the 7" sleeve is just as thick as its British counterpart, but the name of the band on the front is positioned slightly differently (view left). The record has the classic Australian green and red labels featuring the silhouette of a man. This stock 7" appears to be much less common than its promo counterpart (described below).

Australia 12" [CBS 650758-6]
The front of the Australian 12" is the same as in the UK. The back has the expected variations in credits and catalogue number. The record is slipped inside the usual round bottom anti-static inner sleeve and features the usual Australian green and red labels with the silhouette of a man.

Australia 7" promo [CBS 650758-7]
The Australian promo 7" is a stock copy with the words "promotion only not for sale" stamped in red on the back.

The European editions were made in Germany for the European market (including France). They bear a French price code on the back of the sleeve and the musical rights societies STEMRA and BIEM are also credited on the labels. They are usually listed as German pressings on auction sites and music collecting websites.

Europe/Germany 7" [Line 109073 (black vinyl)]
This is usually referred to as the German black vinyl 7". It was manufactured in Germany for the German, Dutch and French markets and perhaps also other smaller European markets. The sleeve is made of thin paper and opens at the top. The front artwork is a pink variation of the UK 7" artwork (view left). The back of the sleeve was modelled on the back of the UK 7" but minor changes were made: the barcode was moved up to the top right corner in place of the UK catalogue number and label code. The Euro catalogue number is found in a 3-compartment box in the top left corner above price codes for Germany (D) and France (F). Line Records logos, credits and label code were added at the very bottom. This means that the back also differs from the back of the 'strictly' German 7"s on coloured vinyl described below. The record bears classic Line labels with graph paper motif, just like the German coloured vinyl editions, but the text layout was slightly changed, the catalogue number and label code were adapted, the European rights societies STEMRA and BIEM are credited alongside GEMA, and the songs are credited as being taken from the "Sheila Take A Bow" cd-single with the incorrect catalogue number '842308' (see Germany cd-single below).

Europe/Germany 12" [Line 609073 (black vinyl)]
This is usually referred to as the German black vinyl 12" in blue sleeve. The front is identical to its British and German counterparts, but the image was given a blue tint instead of red (UK) or pink (Germany), which makes it the most wanted stock edition of "Sheila Take A Bow" (view left). The back of the sleeve differs from the back of the UK 12" by a number of details (view left): the barcode was moved to the top right corner and the Euro catalogue number and prices codes for Germany (D) and France (F) were added beneath it; the German label code was added in gold in the bottom right corner; the songs are credited as being taken from the "Sheila Take A Bow" cd-single with the incorrect catalogue number '842308' (see Germany cd-single below); the credits for a-side and b-side were omitted and a Line Records logo and credit were added in their place. A typo is found on the sleeve's spine, in the title "Is It Really Go Strange". The record is slipped inside a plain white poly-lined inner sleeve. The labels vary from deep pink to pinkish-red depending on the pressing but, one way or another, they are significantly different to the German coloured 12" labels which have the classic Line Records 'graph paper' pattern as a background. European musical rights companies STEMRA and BIEM are mentioned to the right of them, which is not the case for the labels of the German editions on coloured vinyl. Tracks are again credited on the labels as being taken from the "Sheila Take A Bow" cd-single with the incorrect catalogue '842308'.

Europe 7" promo
See Germany 7" promo description below.

Europe 12" test pressing [Line 609073]
Test pressings of the European 12" aka German 12" on black vinyl have made it into the hands of a few lucky collectors. They have white labels and have been seen in a stock sleeve or inside a plain sleeve with photocopied cover art on the front.

Germany 7" [Line LIS1.00024B (coloured vinyl)]
The 'strictly' German edition of "Sheila Take A Bow" on 7" was pressed on three different vinyl colours: milky white, grey and clear yellow. The latter two variations seem to be more common than the former. With the exception of the colour of the wax, everything else about them is identical. Just like the European 7" (aka German black vinyl 7") described above, the sleeve is made of thin paper and opens at the top. The front of the sleeve is the same pink variation on the UK artwork also used on the front of the Euro black vinyl 7" (view left). The back differs from the back of the UK 7" by a few details: the catalogue number and label code in the top right corner were replaced with the German catalogue number and the barcode was omitted, leaving extra space at the very bottom for Line Records logos, credits and label code. This means that the back also differs from the back of the Euro/German 7" on black vinyl described above. The record bears classic Line labels with graph paper motif, just like the European 7", but the text layout was slightly changed, the catalogue number and label code were adapted and the European rights societies STEMRA and BIEM are not mentioned on them. The songs are also not credited as being available on the "Sheila Take A Bow" cd-single.

Germany 12" [Line LIEP3.00011E (coloured vinyl)]
There are two different 'strictly' German editions on 12" format. Both were pressed on coloured vinyl: one milky white and the other clear green (the black vinyl edition is the European 12" described above). With the exception of the colour of the wax, everything else about them is identical. The front of the sleeve is the same pink variation on the UK artwork also used for the German and Euro 7"s (view left). The back of the sleeve is closer to the back of the UK 12" than the back of the Euro/German 12" which also released by Line. It features the full UK credits but no barcode. The catalogue number and logo in the top right corner were replaced with the German catalogue number and additional Line Records logos, credits and label code were added at the bottom. The record in both cases is slipped inside a white die-cut poly-lined paper inner sleeve. It bears classic Line labels with graph paper motif, which is completely different to the pink labels of the Euro/German 12" on black vinyl. The text however is almost the same and organised in a similar layout. Because this edition was not meant to be distributed over various European markets, musical rights companies STEMRA and BIEM are not credited on the labels.

Germany CD5 [Line LICD9.00308L]
Line Records were the first label to release a Smiths single on cd format. As an incentive to potential buyers they combined the three tracks from the "Sheila Take A Bow" single with the three tracks from the earlier "Shoplifters Of The World Unite" single and the song "Panic". The front artwork is exactly the same as that of the German 7"s (view left). The back artwork was loosely adapted from the usual back artwork: it features the 7-song track listing printed in black in the middle between rows of golden flower-like pictograms instead of the usual UK credits. The catalogue number appears in black in the top right corner and "Mici-CD / Special Price" top centre. Line Records logos, credits and label code are found in black at the bottom (view left). The spines follow the same colour pattern. The name of the band and the title track are printed on the left of them, with the catalogue number and a Line logo on the right. The front insert is a single sheet folded once. A black and white promo shot of the band in front of what appears to be a closed shop window (the same one found inside the Australian 2-LP edition of "The World Won't Listen") is seen inside. The back of the booklet was modelled on the usual back artwork, but only shows the usual credits in gold between rows of flower-like pictograms. The disc features the graph paper motif usually used by Line Records for their vinyl singles. The track listing is split over the top and bottom halves, with two Line logos on the left, technical data (catalogue number, musical rights, W.Germany credit, Compact Disc logo, etc.) on the right and bilingual legal warning around the edge interrupted only with a label code at the very bottom.

Germany 7" four-pack
This item is meant to be hanged on the wall to display records. It has four pockets (2 high by 2 wide) of clear plastic in which 7" records can be slipped. The 7"s are yellow and grey vinyl editions of "Sheila Take A Bow" and yellow and a grey vinyl editions of "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before". Even though it was sold in legitimate record shops and the records inside are official releases, this item is unofficial because neither Rough Trade or Line Records have anything to do with it. The Smiths were not the only artists to be treated to this kind of packaging in the 1980s.

Germany 7" promo + press sheet [Line LIS1.00024B]
The "Sheila Take A Bow" single was promoted in Germany with copies of the white vinyl German 7" described above paired with a blue Ariola "Single Facts" sheet. This press sheet is the width of a 7" sleeve so it can slipped inside for distribution. It shows the single's track listing with songwriting and publishing credits as well as running times above one paragraph of information. The catalogue number on this press sheet is actually the one corresponding to the Euro/German 7" on black vinyl described above. The number is also often, if not always, found on a small white sticker affixed over the German catalogue number on the back of the sleeve (two variations of this sticker exist, different in font).

Germany 7" mispressed sleeve [Line LIS1.00024B]
Some copies of the yellow vinyl 7" described above have been spotted in an oddly mispressed sleeve. The gold edge around the letters in the band's name on the front gets skewed towards the bottom more and more as the letters are close to the right. So this means that the first 'T' and 'H' are almost as usual, but the gold edges around the final 'T', 'H' and 'S' are clearly out of sync with the letters.

Greece 12" [Virgin VG2086-Z]
The Greek 12" appeals to many non-completists because of its unique track listing (it includes previous single "Shoplifters Of The World Unite"), but also because of its slightly alternate artwork (view left). The front shows in the bottom right corner a diagonal banner with, presumably, release information or an incentive to potential buyers. Also, the name of the band at the top is positioned slightly differently than in the UK. The back is based on the UK back, but the track listing in the middle was replaced with the longer Greek one, and Virgin Greece credits were added above it as well as in the bottom right corner. The record has white labels with black text in the classic Rough Trade layout. It is slipped inside a thick waxy inner sleeve. A colour insert showing the UK inner sleeve discography is also slipped inside.

Spain 12" [Nuevos Medios 41-258M]
The Spanish 12" was made in England, which may explain why its packaging is so close to that of the UK 12". It features the red version of the artwork on the front, as in the UK. The back has the expected variations due to the involvement of Nuevos Medios. The labels are the same in colour and layout, they only differ to the UK labels by the addition of Nuevos Medios logo and catalogue number, Spanish credits, and the removal of the line "Made In England". The record is slipped inside a plain white wax paper type of inner sleeve.
RTT 196 A-1U-1 / RTT 196 B-1U-1

Sweden 7" [MNW RT196]
The Swedish 7" was pressed in England and nothing on it hints that it was made for the Scandinavian market. The sleeve is perfectly identical to the British sleeve. The labels are identical in typeset to the British labels, but they are orange with black text and the record has a solid centre.

Sweden 12" [MNW RTT196]
A look at the matrix numbers on this record tells us that it was made in England, but this is surprising given the existence of a Swedish test pressing (see next). The sleeve is perfectly identical to the British 12" sleeve. The record is slipped inside the same 'discography+lyrics' picture inner sleeve as in the UK. The labels differ slightly with the British ones, by being red instead of pink and by featuring "BIEM/n©b" above the catalogue number.
RTT 196 A-1U-1- / RTT 196 B-1U-1

Sweden 12" test pressing [MNW RTT196]
The Swedish test pressing has the same red and white Provskiva Från Grammoplast labels found on all Swedith test pressings. The record is slipped inside the usual Swedish 12" sleeve, which is the same as the British 12" sleeve.